Display fountain



B, NAYTHONS March 14, 1961 DISPLAY FOUNTAIN Filed April 8, 1959 United States vPatent (A) DISPLAY FOUNTAIN Benjamin Naythons, 111 Grassmere Road, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa.

Filed Apr. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 804,964

2 Claims. (Cl. 239-17) This invention relates generally to display fountains, and embraces certain unique and highly advantageous structural features thereof.

lt is one object of the present invention to provide a display fountain which is particularly well adapted to be moved from place to place, being extremely light in weight and quickly and easily disassembled and reassembled without any special skill or great elfort.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a display fountain of the type described which is extremely simple in construction, entirely reliable and foolproof in operation, and which is durable in use over longsustained periods, having an extremely long useful life.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a unique fountain construction which tends to be self-leveling, even when supported on a oor or ground surface which is out of level, all without the use of special leveling devices.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a highly advantageous arrangement of fluid conduits whereby substantially equal uid pressures are produced `at all discharge openings, all without the interposition of dead ends or undue constriction in the fluid path for an extremely high efficiency of fluid motion.

lt is still a further object of the present invention to provide a fountain having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which employs an extremely simple and eihcient combination and arrangement of parts, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top perspective View illustrating a fountain of the present invention in operative condition;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the fountain of Figure l, somewhat enlarged for clarity of detail; v

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figure l thereof, the fountain illustrated therein is generally designated 10, and includes a supporting pedestal or stand 11 adapted to rest on a suitable oor or ground surface. Carried by the pedestal 11 is a basin, pan, or vessel 12 which carries the fountainproducing apparatus 13.

The pedestal 11 is of generally annular, centrally open 2,974,871 Patented Mar. 14, 1961 ICC conguration, including a normally horizontally disposed, circular rim or ring 15 from which xedly depend a plurality of legs 16 for engagement with a ground surface or floor 17. Thus, the upper pedestal ring 15 bounds a generally annular opening serving a purpose appearing presently.

The shallow vessel, pan, or basin 12 may be of circula-r-outline configuration, as illustrated, and is formed with a bottom wall 19 having an upstanding peripheral margin 20 defining a side wall. The central region of the basin bottom Wall 19 is depressed to form a downward protuberance 21 on the underside of the basin, which protuberance defines a central, upwardly opening well 22 on the upper side of the basin. That is, the depressed central portion of the basin 12 defines a convex depending protuberance on its underside, and a concave depression or well on its upper side. As best seen in Figure 3, the basin 12 seats. on the pedestal 11 with the protuberance 21 of the well 22 depending partially through the pedestal ring 15, with thelatter being in supporting engagement with the under, external surface of the well 22 to support the basin spaced above the yground surface 17. Obviously, the basin 12 is adapted to be inclined slightly in any desired direction relative to the supporting pedestal ring 15 in the mannerfof a ball-and-socket joint. Conversely, 'the basin is therefore adapted to be disposed level irrespective of the out-of-level condition of the supporting pedestal 11. As will appear more fully hereinafter, this advantageous structure enables the basin to be selflevelingv to a substantial extent, even under adverse conditions of vibration and shock. lf desired, frictional members or rubber rings 24 may be secured 4at spaced locations to the pedestal ring 15 for friction-al engagement with the supported basin 12. v

The spray-0r fountain-producing apparatus 13 includes an annular Aiuid conduit or tube 26 of generally circular conguration and defining an endless uid path. The annular tube or conduit 26 is 'of `a size adapted to seat in the basin 12 extending about an upper region of the Well 22. Provided at preferably equally, circumferentially spaced locations about the annular tube 26, in the upper side thereof, are a plurality of upstanding discharge nozzles or orices 27, which may advantageously be inclined slightly inward toward the center of the annular conduit.

Extending diametrically across the generally horizontally disposed annular conduit'26 is a cross tube or con- `duit28 which has its opposite ends joined to diametrically opposed regions of the annular conduit, as by fittings 29, for uid communication with said annular conduit at said diametrically opposed locations. Thus, the cross tube 28.is substantially coplanar with the annular conduit or circular tube 26.

A circulating pump, such as the pump illustrated at 31, may be seated in a lower region of the Well 22, spaced below the annular conduit 26 and the cross tube 28. The pump 31 may be of a submersible type, electrically operated, as by a supply conductor 32 passing outward through an appropriate, sealed opening in the basin. A pump inlet is generally designated 33, and a mesh strainer or filter 34 is preferably secured over the inlet to prevent the passage of dirt into the pump. The lter 34 may assume the configuration of a reticulated tube having one end closed and one end open, the latter end being connected to the inlet 33 of the pump 31. Extending upward from the outlet of the pump 31 is a connecting tube 35 which has its upper end connected, as by a tee fitting 36, to a medial region of the cross tube 28. A manually operable valve 37 may be connected in the connecting tube 35 to control the rate of liquid tlow from the pump through the latter tube.

It will now be `appreciated that a recirculating-uid sys- 3 tem is dei-ined through the pump 31 which passes liquid upward through the connecting tube 35, thence in' b'oth directions through the cross tube 2S to the diametrically opposed regions 29 of the annular tube 26. In the an- 'nular tube 26, liquid passes 'in opposite directions laway ,frornlea'ch of the regions 29 toward 'the opposite -regi'on 29.` Of course, liquid passing valong the annular tube 26 discharges upwardly Vfrom the nozzles 27 As there are no co'nstri'ctions, dead ends, or other serious 'ineiiciencies in the transmission of liquid, a relatively high efficiency of liquid transmission is obtained, thereby enabling the use 'of a relatively small pump. Further, as the system is entirelyfsymmetrical, with equal rates of kflow through the opposite annular-tube regions 29, it is obvious that a symmetrical pattern of uid pressure is achieved at the various discharge oriiices 27 .Moreover-, as would be expected, discharge pressure decreases slightly in the directions away from the regions 29, but such decrease is negligible, and compensated for by the reinforcing effect of meeting streams at the tube regions spaced 90 from the regions 29. Hence, a substantially uniform and constant orifice discharge pressure is achieved all along the annular tube 26.

Of course, liquid discharged from Ithe nozzles 27 passes upward to achieve its desired ornamental effect, and returns by gravity to the well 22, Vas at 40. From the well,

the liquid is again recirculated, entering the pump 31 lthro'ugh the inlet ilter or strainer 34.

A protective cover 4l of reticulated sheet material or screening extends across the upper region of the well 22, within Ythe area encompassed by the annular conduit 26, to hide'the apparatus within the well, as well as to prevent foreign matter frorn entering the well. The reticulated cover 41 passes over the cross tube 28, and is provided with a peripherally extending depending skirt 42 having its lower edge in seating engagement with the inner surface of the basin 12. Further, the skirt 42 may be provided with a pair of diametrically opposed cutouts 43 opening downward through the lower skirt edge, for respectively receiving opposite end portions of the cross tube. In this manner, the protective covering 41 is lirmly retained in position, and freely removable, as desired.

An annular upstanding Wall 45 extends closely about the exterior of the annular conduit 26, Vhaving its lower edge resting on the basin, and extending upward to pro- ,tectively surround the nozzles 27. The annular wall 45 is freely removable, when desired, and replaceable in'its surrounding relationship with the annular tube 26 vto protect the nozzles 27 from foreign articles in the basin.

As a reservoir of liquid 4i) collects in the well 22 for recirculation through the huid-conduit system, -it is apparent that a substantial weight retains the basin 12 in position on the pedestal 11. Further, as the weight within the well depends vertically downward, and as Ythe ybasin -is slightly tiltable relative tothe pedestal, as described hereinbefore, it will be understood that the basin tends to be self-leveling when liquid is contained '-in the well, and even if the pedestal is out of level.

From the foregoing, it lis seen that the present invention provides a display fountain which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by Way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes yand modijcations may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed'is:

1. .A display fountain kcomprising a support pedestal, a basin carried Yby said pedestal and having a depressed portion for collecting liquid, a generally circular endless fluid conduit in said bas-in extending about said depressed portion and having circumferentially spaced upwardly opening discharge orifices, a diametrally extending fluid conduit having its ends connected to opposed regions of said circular conduit, a pump in said depressed portion below said circular conduit, duid-communication means connected between said pump and a medial region of said diametral conduit for pumping liquid from said depressed portion to Vsaid fluid conduits for discharge therefrom at substantial-ly equal pressure thereabout, said support pedestal being generally circular in configuration and circumscribing an opening receiving said depressed basin portion, sa-id basin portion being of generally circular horizontal cross section at all points, said depressed basin portion delining on Yits underside a convex protuberance depending 'through said pedestal opening and conformably seated in bearing engagement on the pedestal portion 'bounding said opening, the Weight of liquid in said depressed portion tending to level said basin even when said pedestal is out of level, a reticulated cover extending across the upper region of said depending portion within said circular conduit and over said diametral conduit, and a skirt depending from the periphery of said cover into seating engagement with ysaid basin, said skirt being provided with a pair of downwardly opening cutouts `respectively receiving opposite end portions of said diamefral conduit.

2. A display fountain comprising a'circular horizontal support pedestal, a basin of circular horizontal cross section at all`points having a centrally depressed Well and seated on said pedestal with saidwell depending partially into said pedestal, an endless circular fluid conduit seated in said basin extending about said well and having circum'ferentially spaced upwardly opening discharge oriices, a pump located Vin saidwell below said circular :duid conduit, duid-conducting means communicating between said pump and circular conduit, said basin being horizontally self-seating in 'said pedestal, a reticulated cover of circular-outline conguration Yextending across said well Within said circular conduit, land a skirt depending from the periphery of said cover into horizontal selfseating engagement with vsaid basin.

References Cited in thevle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 776,930 Oldridge Y Y Dec. 6, 1904 1,136,995 Y Battaglia Y V Apr. 27, 1915 1,954,704 Kraus ..Y Apr. 10, 1934 

